Method and apparatus for dynamic tuning

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, adjusting a matching network utilizing a weighted tuning state determined according to an application of a first weighting factor to multiple tuning states based on enhancing performance associated with different types of operation, including transmit, receive, and duplex operation. A weighted reference metric is determined based on a second weighting factor and first, second and third reference metrics selected from first, second and third groups of reference metrics based on the enhancing performance associated with the different types of operation. The tuning is continued utilizing the weighted tuning state, responsive to a first determination that a first performance metric satisfies a first threshold according to a comparison of the first performance metric to the weighted reference metric. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/218,845 filed Jul. 25, 2016. All sections of the aforementionedapplications are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for dynamictuning.

BACKGROUND

Cellular communication devices such as cellular telephones, tablets, andlaptops can support multi-cellular access technologies, peer-to-peeraccess technologies, personal area network access technologies, andlocation receiver access technologies, which can operate concurrently.Cellular communication devices have also integrated a variety ofconsumer features such as MP3 players, color displays, gamingapplications, cameras, and other features.

Cellular communication devices can be required to communicate at avariety of frequencies, and in some instances are subjected to a varietyof physical and functional use conditions. Some communications utilizecarrier aggregation which allows expansion of effective bandwidthdelivered to a user terminal through concurrent utilization of radioresources across multiple carriers. Multiple component carriers areaggregated to form a larger overall transmission bandwidth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device thatimplements dynamic tuning;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of a transceiverof the communication device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-6 depict illustrative embodiments of a tunable matching networkof the transceiver of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a look-up table utilized bythe communication device of FIG. 1 for controlling tunable reactiveelements utilized by the communication device;

FIGS. 8-11 depict illustrative physical and operational use cases of acommunication device;

FIGS. 12-15 depict illustrative embodiments of tuning state solutionthat can be utilized for dynamic tuning;

FIGS. 16-17 depict illustrative embodiments of carrier aggregation thatcan utilizing dynamic tuning;

FIGS. 18-22 depict communication devices that provide dynamic tuning anddepict graphical representations of tuning grids utilized for thetuning;

FIGS. 23-33 depict illustrative embodiments of systems and methods thatimplement dynamic tuning;

FIGS. 34-36 depict exemplary methods that can be used for dynamictuning;

FIG. 37 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments that provide for antenna tuning that addresses duplexoperation and/or carrier aggregation.

Wireless communication devices can implement operations, such asFrequency Division Duplex (FDD), which typically requires Transmit (Tx)and Receive (Rx) to operate simultaneously. For a tunable antenna match,this can mean selecting a single tuning state that works well for both.This is referred to as duplex tuning and can result in a compromise inmatching performance compared to a tuning state that is optimized for Txonly or that is optimized for Rx only. As an example, this compromisecan typically be around 0.5 to 1.0 dB. The link is often asymmetric inmany regards. It may be desirable to have the match favor Tx in somecases, or favor Rx in other cases.

In one or more embodiments, the communication device may or may notinclude a compromise between Tx and Rx matching that is set at thedesign phase by weighting Tx and Rx matching performance either equallyor unequally. One or more of the exemplary embodiments can furtherimplement a tuning algorithm(s) that adjusts the weight between Tx andRx matching, dynamically, as a function of the real-time conditions ofthe radio, the link, and/or the current application or usage of thewireless communication device (e.g., a handset). Similar compromises inantenna matching can exist for carrier aggregation, and may be to aneven greater extent since there are more carriers that need to bematched simultaneously. For carrier aggregation, this compromise cantypically be up to 1.0 to 3.0 dB. One or more of the exemplaryembodiments can implement dynamic weighting of tuning solutions duringcarrier aggregation operation. The use of dynamic weighting betweenmatching at different frequencies can be particularly beneficial forwireless communication device that support carrier aggregation.

In one or more embodiments, a closed loop tuning system is provided thatcan converge to more than one solution. For example, the system canconverge to an optimal Tx solution, an optimal Rx solution, an optimalDuplex solution, and/or a compromise between the aforementionedsolutions. In one or more embodiments, the system can dynamically changethe type of solution being targeted based on real time changes detectedor otherwise determined in the field.

In one or more embodiments, the criteria to determine how to optimizethe match can be based on usage conditions of the wireless communicationdevice and/or based on measurements or status of the radio. For example,handset usage conditions can include downloading a large file,attachments, an application, or streaming video. During such usageconditions, it may be preferable to bias a tuning match towards Rx(DownLink (DL)). Conversely, if the usage condition is uploading a largefile, attachments, posting a video, it may be preferable to bias thetuning match towards Tx (UpLink (UL)). Execution of certain applicationsmay be known to be downlink centric or uplink centric and the tuningmatch can be biased accordingly. There can also be certain radioconditions or measurements that would indicate a preference for a Txbiased match or an Rx biased match, such as Resource Block (RB)allocation (UL and DL), modulation type (UL and DL), data throughput (ULand DL), Tx power level, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI),Received Signal Code Power (RSCP), Discontinuous Transmission (DTX),battery level, and/or derived antenna use case.

Other embodiments are described by the subject disclosure. The presentdisclosure is related to co-pending application Ser. No. 15/218,798,entitled “Method and Apparatus for Dynamic Tuning”, and co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 15/218,752, entitled “Method and Apparatus forDynamic Tuning”, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a communication devicehaving a matching network including a tunable reactive element; aprocessing system including a processor, the processing system beingcoupled with the matching network; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations include, during FDDcommunication, selecting first, second, and third tuning states fromfirst, second and third groups of tuning states, respectively, where thefirst, second and third groups of tuning states are stored in the memoryand are predetermined tuning states based on increasing performance intransmit, receive and duplex operation, respectively. The operationsinclude determining a weighted tuning state based on a weighting factor,and the first, second and third tuning states; and adjusting thematching network utilizing the weighted tuning state resulting in atuning. The operations include responsive to the tuning, determining afirst performance metric according to a first measurement associatedwith the FDD communication; and selecting first, second, and thirdreference metrics from first, second and third groups of referencemetrics stored in the memory, wherein the first, second and third groupsof reference metrics are predetermined expected metrics based on theincreasing performance in the transmit, receive and duplex operation,respectively. The operations include determining a weighted referencemetric based on the weighting factor, and the first, second and thirdreference metrics; and comparing the first performance metric to theweighted reference metric resulting in a first comparison. Theoperations include, responsive to a first determination that the firstperformance metric satisfies a first threshold according to the firstcomparison, continuing the tuning utilizing the weighted tuning state.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a method includingadjusting, by a processor of a communication device, a matching networkutilizing a weighted tuning state resulting in a tuning, where theweighted tuning state is determined from applying a first weightingfactor to first, second and third tuning states that are predeterminedtuning states based on increasing performance in transmit, receive andduplex operation, respectively. The method includes selecting, by theprocessor, first, second, and third reference metrics from first, secondand third groups of reference metrics, where the first, second and thirdgroups of reference metrics are predetermined expected metrics based onthe increasing performance in the transmit, receive and duplexoperation, respectively. The method includes determining, by theprocessor, a weighted reference metric based on a second weightingfactor, and the first, second and third reference metrics; and,responsive to the tuning, determining, by the processor, a firstperformance metric according to a first measurement. The method includescomparing, by the processor, the first performance metric to theweighted reference metric resulting in a first comparison; andresponsive to a first determination that the first performance metricsatisfies a first threshold according to the first comparison,continuing the tuning utilizing the weighted tuning state.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a machine-readable storagemedium, including executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor of a communication device, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations include adjusting a matching networkutilizing a weighted tuning state resulting in a tuning, where theweighted tuning state is determined from applying a weighting factor tomultiple tuning states that are predetermined tuning states based onincreasing performance associated with types of operation. Theoperations include comparing a measured performance metric to a weightedreference metric resulting in a comparison, where the weighted referencemetric is determined from applying the weighting factor to multiplereference metrics that are predetermined expected metrics based on theincreasing performance associated with the types of operation. Theoperations include, responsive to a first determination that themeasured performance metric satisfies a threshold according to thecomparison, continuing the tuning utilizing the weighted tuning state.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a communication deviceincluding a matching network having a tunable reactive element; aprocessing system including a processor, the processing system beingcoupled with the matching network; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations include, during FDDcommunication, determining a first tuning state for increasedperformance in transmit operation and a second tuning state forincreased performance in receive operation. The operations includedetecting a change in operational function of the communication deviceand adjusting weighting for transmit matching and receive matchingresulting in adjusted weighting based on the change in the operationalfunction. The operations include determining a tuning configuration forthe matching network according to the adjusted weighting and at leastone of the first tuning state or the second tuning state.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a method that includes,during FDD communication, determining, by a processor of a communicationdevice, first and second tuning states based on selections from firstand second groups of tuning states, respectively, that are stored in amemory of the communication device. The method includes detecting, bythe processor, an operational function of the communication device. Themethod includes adjusting, by the processor, weighting between the firstand second tuning states according to the operational function resultingin an adjusted weighting. The method includes determining, by theprocessor, a tuning configuration for a matching network of thecommunication device according to interpolation that utilizes the firstand second tuning states in conjunction with the adjusted weighting.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a machine-readable storagemedium, including executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor of a communication device, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations include determining first and second tuningstates based on selections from first and second groups of tuningstates, respectively, that are stored in a memory of the communicationdevice, where the first and second groups of tuning states arepredetermined tuning states associated with transmit and receiveoperations, respectively. The operations include detecting anoperational function of the communication device and adjusting weightingbetween the first and second tuning states according to the operationalfunction resulting in an adjusted weighting. The operations includedetermining a tuning configuration for a matching network of thecommunication device according to interpolation that utilizes the firstand second tuning states in conjunction with the adjusted weighting. Theoperations include adjusting a tunable reactive element of the matchingnetwork according to the tuning configuration.

Radio band information is generally available or otherwise retrievablein communication devices, which provides the broadest definition ofwhere in a frequency spectrum a communication device such as a handsetis operating (e.g., transmitting). In communication systems (e.g.,cellular systems), frequencies are commonly allocated for usage in ablock or range of frequencies. This block or range of frequencies iscommonly known as a radio band. Multiple radio bands can be present inany given cellular system, and in any geographic location there can bemultiple cellular systems present.

A radio channel identifies a discrete set of frequencies in a cellularsystem that contains the downlink (from base station to the handset) anduplink (from handset to base station) radio signals. Downlink is alsoreferred to as Rx and uplink is also referred to as Tx. In most systems,such as WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), uplink anddownlink use separate frequencies that are separated by the duplexdistance, which is the number of Hz separating the uplink and downlinkpaths. For other systems, such as TD-LTE (Time Division Long TermEvolution), the uplink and downlink use the same frequency.

One or more of the exemplary embodiments can utilize radio bandinformation, including only radio band information in some embodiments,for antenna tuning. The exemplary embodiments can apply to various typesof communication devices, including wireless handsets operatingutilizing one or more of various communication protocols.

RF tuning based on limited information, such as only the radio band, cancreate a number of problems. In an ideal cellular system that employs RFtuning, the tuner would be set to match every frequency on which theradio receives or transmits, with the understanding that typically asingle antenna is used for both Rx and Tx which requires the RF tuner tochange tuning state as the RF signal on the antenna changes frequency.For half-duplex systems, such as GSM that would be for every Rx and Tx,including neighbor cells. In full-duplex systems, such as WCDMA whereboth Rx and Tx are present concurrently, the RF tuner has to change whenthe frequency changes for handoffs and neighbor cell monitoring, andadditionally the tuning state has to be a duplex setting for Rx and Txon a frequency between the Rx and Tx frequencies.

In order to perform RF tuning in such an ideal system, the entitycontrolling the tuner could require exact knowledge in real time of allrelevant information pertaining to operating the tuner, such as theradio timing, radio band, radio channel, RF duplex information, andtransmit state. Tuning based on limited information occurs when theentity controlling the tuner does not have all the information requiredto set the RF tuner to match an exact frequency at a given time. Forexample, real time channel information could be missing, in which casethe tuner control entity could set the RF tuner based on informationpertaining to the Radio Band only.

Tx and Rx operations often cannot or are not tuned in real-time. Thiscan result in or necessitate a broader duplex type tuning. Duplex tuningrefers to where the tunable element for a particular sub-band or radiochannel is tuned to a frequency between uplink and downlink; one tuningstate can be used for both Rx and Tx in this case. In some systems thatare full-duplex (concurrent uplink and downlink, such as WCDMA), duplextuning is commonly used. Other systems that are half-duplex (uplink anddownlink are not concurrent, such as GSM), the tuner can be tuned for Rxand Tx separately.

Sub-band describes a grouping of frequencies (e.g., radio channels)consisting of one or more radio channels. In tuning applications,sub-dividing a radio band into multiple sub-bands can provide theadvantage of being able to apply a particular tuning state to a small orsmaller range of radio channels. Sub-bands can be used in conjunctionwith storage and application of calibration data in cellular handsets,providing a compromise between accuracy and amount of storage needed tohold said calibration data.

An example of a radio band is the GSM 900 band, in which the uplinkfrequencies can occupy the range 880.0 to 915.0 MHz and the downlinkfrequencies can occupy the range 925.0 to 960.0 MHz. The duplex spacingcan be 45 MHz. The first channel can be channel 975 which has uplink at880.2 MHz and downlink at 915.2 MHz. The last channel can be channel 124which has uplink at 914.8 MHz and downlink at 959.8 MHz.

The GSM 900 band can, for example, be subdivided into 3 sub bands asfollows: Sub band 1 ranging from channel 975 to channel 1023 (48channels, 9.6 MHz wide), Sub Band 2 ranging from channel 0 to channel 66(66 channels, 13.2 MHz wide), and sub band 3 ranging from channel 67 tochannel 124 (57 channels, 11.4 MHz wide). This is an example of a radioband and sub-bands, and the present disclosure can include variousconfigurations of radio bands and sub-bands.

Similar principles can be applied to other existing wireless accesstechnologies (e.g., LTE, etc.) as well as future generation accesstechnologies.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 100.In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can: during FDDcommunication, select first, second, and third tuning states from first,second and third groups of tuning states, respectively, where the first,second and third groups of tuning states are stored in the memory andare predetermined tuning states based on increasing performance intransmit, receive and duplex operation, respectively; determine aweighted tuning state based on a weighting factor, and the first, secondand third tuning states; adjust the matching network utilizing theweighted tuning state resulting in a tuning; responsive to the tuning,determine a first performance metric according to a first measurementassociated with the FDD communication; selecting first, second, andthird reference metrics from first, second and third groups of referencemetrics stored in the memory, where the first, second and third groupsof reference metrics are predetermined expected metrics based on theincreasing performance in the transmit, receive and duplex operation,respectively; determine a weighted reference metric based on theweighting factor, and the first, second and third reference metrics;compare the first performance metric to the weighted reference metricresulting in a first comparison; and responsive to a first determinationthat the first performance metric satisfies a first threshold accordingto the first comparison, continue the tuning utilizing the weightedtuning state.

In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can: responsive to asecond determination that the first performance metric does not satisfythe first threshold according to the first comparison, select fourth,fifth and sixth tuning states from the first, second and third groups oftuning states, respectively. In one embodiment, the communication device100, responsive to the first determination, can: measure a secondreference metric; determine a second performance metric according to asecond measurement associated with the FDD communication; compare thesecond performance metric to the second reference metric resulting in asecond comparison; responsive to a second determination that the secondperformance metric does not satisfy a second threshold according to thesecond comparison, select fourth, fifth and sixth tuning states from thefirst, second and third groups of tuning states, respectively; and,responsive to a third determination that the second performance metricsatisfies the second threshold according to the second comparison,continue the tuning. In one embodiment, the first, second, and thirdreference metrics include input reflection coefficients. In oneembodiment, the weighting factor is determined based on an operationalfunction of the communication device. In one embodiment, the operationalfunction of the communication device includes a particular applicationbeing executed at the communication device. In one embodiment, theoperational function includes downloading an amount of data above adownload threshold, and where the weighting factor is biased towards theincreasing performance in the receive operation. In one embodiment, theoperational function includes transmitting an amount of data above anupload threshold, and where the weighting factor is biased towards theincreasing performance in the transmit operation.

In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can: monitor a transmitpower level; and can determine a link margin based on the monitoring,where the operational function includes a determination that the linkmargin is equal to or below a link margin threshold, and where theweighting factor is biased towards the increasing performance in thetransmit operation. In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can:monitor a receive metric associated with a received signal during theFDD communication; and can determine a link margin based on themonitoring, where the operational function comprises a determinationthat the link margin is equal to or below a link margin threshold, andwhere the weighting factor is biased towards the increasing performancein the receive operation. In one embodiment, the communication device100 can: monitor resource block allocation for the FDD communication,and where the operational function is determined based on themonitoring. In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can: monitordata throughput for the FDD communication, and where the operationalfunction is determined based on the monitoring. In one embodiment, thecommunication device 100 can: monitor battery level during the FDDcommunication, and where the operational function is determined based onthe monitoring. In one embodiment, the first, second and third tuningstates include tuning voltages, and where the tunable reactive elementcomprises a voltage tunable capacitor.

In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can determine a firsttuning state for increased performance in transmit operation and asecond tuning state for increased performance in receive operation(e.g., during FDD communication); detect a change in operationalfunction of the communication device; adjust weighting for transmitmatching and receive matching resulting in adjusted weighting based onthe change in the operational function; and determine a tuningconfiguration for the matching network according to the adjustedweighting and at least one of the first tuning state or the secondtuning state. In one embodiment, communication device 100 can adjust thetunable reactive element according to the tuning configuration. In oneembodiment, the change in the operational function includes downloadingan amount of data above a threshold, and where the adjusted weighting isbiased towards the second tuning state for the receive operation. In oneembodiment, the change in the operational function includes transmittingan amount of data above a threshold, and where the adjusted weighting isbiased towards the first tuning state for the transmit operation. In oneembodiment, communication device 100 can monitor a transmit power level;and can determine a link margin based on the monitoring, where thechange in the operational function comprises a determination that thelink margin is equal to or below a link margin threshold, and where theadjusted weighting is biased towards the first tuning state for thetransmit operation.

In one embodiment, communication device 100 can monitor a receive metricassociated with a received signal during the FDD communication; and candetermine a link margin based on the monitoring, where the change in theoperational function comprises a determination that the link margin isequal to or below a link margin threshold, and where the adjustedweighting is biased towards the second tuning state for the receiveoperation. In one embodiment, communication device 100 can monitorresource block allocation for the FDD communication, and where thedetecting the change in the operational function is determined based onthe monitoring. In one embodiment, communication device 100 can monitordata throughput for the FDD communication, and where the detecting thechange in the operational function is determined based on themonitoring. In one embodiment, communication device 100 can monitorbattery level during the FDD communication, and where the detecting thechange in the operational function is determined based on themonitoring. In one embodiment, communication device 100 can store afirst group of tuning states for the increased performance in thetransmit operation in the memory, where the first group of tuning statesincludes the first tuning state; and can store a second group of tuningstates for the increased performance in the receive operation in thememory, where the second group of tuning states includes the secondtuning state, where the determining the first and second tuning statesis based on selections from the first and second groups of tuningstates, respectively, and where the determining the tuning configurationis based on an interpolation between the first and second tuning statesthat utilizes the adjusted weighting.

In one embodiment, the first and second group of tuning states can beindexed in a table based on band and channel information. In oneembodiment, the detecting the change in the operational function of thecommunication device is based on monitoring applications being executedat the communication device. In one embodiment, the detecting the changein the operational function of the communication device is based onmeasuring a signal parameter for the FDD communication. In oneembodiment, the determining the tuning configuration for the matchingnetwork is based in part on a third tuning state for increasedperformance in duplex operation. In one embodiment, communication device100 can store a first group of tuning states for the increasedperformance in the transmit operation in the memory, where the firstgroup of tuning states includes the first tuning state; can store asecond group of tuning states for the increased performance in thereceive operation in the memory, where the second group of tuning statesincludes the second tuning state; can store a third group of tuningstates for increased performance in duplex operation in the memory; andduring the FDD communication, can determine a third tuning stateaccording to a selection from among the third group of tuning states,where the determining the first and second tuning states is based onselections from the first and second groups of tuning states,respectively, and where the determining the tuning configuration isbased on an interpolation that utilizes two or more of the first, secondand third tuning states in conjunction with the adjusted weighting.

The communication device 100 can include various components that arearranged in various configurations. The communication device 100 cancomprise one or more transceivers 102 coupled to an antenna system 101,which can be any number of antennas. As an example, each transceiver canhave transmitter and receiver sections herein described as transceiver102 or transceivers 102. The communication device 100 can have one ormore tunable circuits 122 including reactive element(s) 190, one or moretuning sensors 124, a user interface (UI) 104, a power supply 114, alocation receiver 116, a motion sensor 118, an orientation sensor 120,and/or a controller 106 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver102 can support short-range and/or long-range wireless accesstechnologies, including Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi),Digital Enhance Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellularcommunication technologies, just to mention a few. The communicationdevice 100 can be a multi-mode device capable of providing communicationservices via various wireless access technologies, including two or moresuch services simultaneously.

Cellular technologies used by the communication device 100 can include,for example, Global System for Mobile (GSM), Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Universal MobileTelecommunications (UMTS), World interoperability for Microwave (WiMAX),Software Defined Radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), as well asother next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.The transceiver 102 can also be adapted to support circuit-switchedwireline access technologies such as Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies such as TCP/IP,Voice over IP-VoIP, etc., or combinations thereof.

In one or more embodiments, dimensions, shapes and/or positions for thegroup of antennas of antenna system 101 can achieve a desiredperformance characteristic while fitting different mechanicalarrangements. These dimensions, shapes and/or positions can be adjustedto achieve other desired performance characteristic and/or for fittingother mechanical arrangements.

In one embodiment, the communication device 100 can include an RF switch150 (or other component) for switching the functionality of antennas ofthe antenna system 101 including switching primary antennas to diversityantennas and vice versa. For example, parameters of the communicationdevice 100 (e.g., reflection measurements for one, some or all of theantennas) can be monitored, detected or otherwise determined in order toidentify a change in impedance. The impedance change can result from achange in use case (e.g., switching from left hand to right hand to holdphone). The identification of the impedance change can trigger a changein the antenna system configuration via the RF switch 150 (e.g.,controlled by controller 106). The number of times this switch occurscan be based on the detected parameters, such as according to a userthat keeps switching hands during a communication session. The switchingof antennas can also be limited by a modem of the communication device100.

The tunable circuit 122 can comprise one or more variable reactiveelements such as variable capacitors, variable inductors, orcombinations thereof that are tunable with digital and/or analog biassignals. The tunable circuit 122 can represent a tunable matchingnetwork coupled to the antenna system 101 to compensate for a change inimpedance of the antenna 101, a compensation circuit to compensate formutual coupling in a multi-antenna system, an amplifier tuning circuitto control operations of an amplifier of the transceiver 102, a filtertuning circuit to alter a pass band of a filter used by the transceiver102, and so on. In one or more embodiments, the tunable circuit 122 canbe connected with one, some or all of the antennas of antenna system 101to enable impedance tuning.

In one or more embodiments, tuning sensors 124 can be placed at anystage of the transceiver 102 such as, for example, before or after amatching network, and/or at a power amplifier. The tuning sensors 124can utilize any suitable sensing technology such as directionalcouplers, voltage dividers, or other sensing technologies to measuresignals at any stage of the transceiver 102. The digital samples of themeasured signals can be provided to the controller 106 by way ofanalog-to-digital converters included in the tuning sensors 124. Dataprovided to the controller 106 by the tuning sensors 124 can be used tomeasure, for example, scalar and/or complex reflection coefficient,transmit power, transmitter efficiency, receiver sensitivity, powerconsumption of the communication device 100, frequency band selectivityby adjusting filter passbands, linearity and efficiency of poweramplifiers, specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements, and so on. Thecontroller 106 can be configured to execute one or more tuningalgorithms to determine desired tuning states of the tunable circuit 122based on the foregoing measurements. The controller 106 can also switchthe primary and diversity antennas via RF switch 150 based on dataobtained from the tuning sensors 124, including based on reflectionmeasurements.

The UI 104 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 108 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device100. The keypad 108 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 100 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting, for example, Bluetooth. The keypad 108can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 104 can further include a display110 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 100. In anembodiment where the display 110 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 108 can be presented by way of the display 110 withnavigation features.

The display 110 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 100 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 110 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 110 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 100 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 104 can also include an audio system 112 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 112 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 112 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI104 can further include an image sensor 113 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 114 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 100 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies. In one or more embodiments,wireless charging can be performed. Various types of charging (e.g.,tethered, wireless, etc.) can be detected and utilized to determine ause case of the device 100, such as determining hands-free operationaccording to wireless charging.

The location receiver 116 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 100 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 118can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 100 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 120 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device100 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 100 can use the transceiver 102 to alsodetermine a proximity to or distance to cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, orother wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing areceived signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival(TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements.

The controller 106 can utilize computing technologies such as amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gatearrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a videoprocessor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM,DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions,controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementionedcomponents of the communication device 100.

Other components not shown in FIG. 1 can be used by the subjectdisclosure. The communication device 100 can include a slot forinserting or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber IdentityModule (SIM) card. SIM cards can be used for identifying and registeringfor subscriber services, executing computer programs, storing subscriberdata, and so forth.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of the wirelesstransceiver 102 of the communication device 100 of FIG. 1. In GSMapplications, the transmit and receive portions of the transceiver 102can include amplifiers 201, 203 coupled to a tunable matching network202 that is in turn coupled to an impedance load 206 (which can be oneor more antennas including primary and diversity antennas). Antennaswitching, via switch 150, can be performed based on operationalparameters associated with one, some, or all of the antennas, such asbased on reflection measurements.

In one or more embodiments, a full duplex configuration without switch204 can be utilized such as for an LTE or WCDMA application such aswhere a duplex filter is utilized for implementing duplex operation. Thetunable matching network 202 can include all or a portion of the tuningcircuit 122 of FIG. 1, such as variable capacitors to enable highlinearity tuning while satisfying performance criteria such as insertionloss thresholds and/or response time speed. The impedance load 206 inthe present illustration can be all or a portion of the antenna system(e.g., reconfigurable via RF switch 150) as shown in FIG. 1 (hereinantenna 206). In one or more embodiments, the RF switch 150 can be onthe Tx/Rx side of the matching network(s) 202. In another embodiment, aseparate matching network 202 can be used for each antenna. A transmitsignal in the form of a radio frequency (RF) signal (TX) can be directedto the amplifier 201 which amplifies the signal and directs theamplified signal to the antenna 206 by way of the tunable matchingnetwork 202 when switch 204 is enabled for a transmission session. Thereceive portion of the transceiver 102 can utilize a pre-amplifier 203which amplifies signals received from the antenna 206 by way of thetunable matching network 202 when switch 204 is enabled for a receivesession. Other configurations of FIG. 2 are possible for other types ofcellular access technologies such as CDMA, UMTS, LTE, and so forth. Theexemplary embodiments are applicable to all types of radio technologiesincluding WiFi, GPS and so forth, and are not intended to be limited tocellular access technologies. These undisclosed configurations areapplicable to the subject disclosure.

FIGS. 3-4 depict illustrative embodiments of the tunable matchingnetwork 202 of the transceiver 102 of FIG. 2. In one embodiment, thematching network 202 can utilize a weighted tuning state resulting in atuning, where the weighted tuning state is determined from applying aweighting factor to multiple tuning states that are predetermined tuningstates based on increasing performance associated with types ofoperation. A measured performance metric can then be compared to aweighted reference metric resulting in a comparison, where the weightedreference metric is determined from applying the weighting factor tomultiple reference metrics that are predetermined expected metrics basedon the increasing performance associated with the types of operation.Responsive to a first determination that the measured performance metricsatisfies a threshold according to the comparison, continuing the tuningutilizing the weighted tuning state.

In one embodiment, matching network 202 can be tuned according to atuning configuration that is derived from a dynamic weighting technique.As an example, first and second tuning states can be determined based onselections from first and second groups of tuning states, respectively,that are stored in a memory of the communication device 100, where thefirst and second groups of tuning states are predetermined tuning statesassociated with transmit and receive operations, respectively. Anoperational function of the communication device 100 can then bedetermined and an adjustment can be made to weighting between the firstand second tuning states according to the operational function resultingin an adjusted weighting. A tuning configuration can be determined forthe matching network 202 according to interpolation that utilizes thefirst and second tuning states in conjunction with the adjustedweighting. The matching network 202 can then be adjusted according tothe tuning configuration.

In one embodiment, the tunable matching network 202 can comprise acontrol circuit 302 and a tunable reactive element 310. The controlcircuit 302 can comprise a DC-to-DC converter 304, one or more digitalto analog converters (DACs) 306 and one or more corresponding buffers308 to amplify the voltage generated by each DAC. The amplified signalcan be fed to one or more tunable reactive components 404, 406 and 408such as shown in FIG. 4, which depicts a possible circuit configurationfor the tunable reactive element 310. In this illustration, the tunablereactive element 310 includes three tunable capacitors 404-408 and twoinductors 402-403 with a fixed inductance. Circuit configurations suchas “Tee”, “Pi”, and “L” configurations for a matching circuit are alsosuitable configurations that can be used in the subject disclosure. Inone or more embodiments, switches can be utilized for changing thecircuit configurations, such as enabling switching between “Tee”, “Pi”,and “L” configurations.

The tunable capacitors 404-408 can each utilize technology that enablestunability of the reactance of the component. One embodiment of thetunable capacitors 404-408 can utilize voltage or current tunabledielectric materials. The tunable dielectric materials can utilize,among other things, a composition of barium strontium titanate (BST). Inanother embodiment, the tunable reactive element 310 can utilizesemiconductor varactors. The tunable capacitors 404-408 can also beimplemented utilizing arrays of semi-conductor switches ormicro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switches connected with reactiveelements such as a capacitor. Other present or next generation methodsor material compositions that result in a voltage or current tunablereactive element are applicable to the subject disclosure for use by thetunable reactive element 310 of FIG. 3.

The DC-to-DC converter 304 can receive a DC signal such as 3 volts fromthe power supply 114 of the communication device 100 in FIG. 1. TheDC-to-DC converter 304 can use technology to amplify a DC signal to ahigher range (e.g., 30 volts) such as shown. The controller 106 cansupply digital signals to each of the DACs 306 by way of a control bus307 of “n” or more wires or traces to individually control thecapacitance of tunable capacitors 404-408, thereby varying thecollective reactive impedance of the tunable matching network 202. Thecontrol bus 307 can be implemented with a two-wire serial bus technologysuch as a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus (referred to herein asSPI bus 307) or MIPI RF Front End (RFFE) component. With an SPI bus 307,the controller 106 can transmit serialized digital signals to configureeach DAC in FIG. 3. The control circuit 302 of FIG. 3 can utilizedigital state machine logic to implement the SPI bus 307, which candirect digital signals supplied by the controller 106 to the DACs tocontrol the analog output of each DAC, which is then amplified bybuffers 308. In one embodiment, the control circuit 302 can be astand-alone component coupled to the tunable reactive element 310. Inanother embodiment, the control circuit 302 can be integrated in wholeor in part with another device such as the controller 106.

Although the tunable reactive element 310 is shown in a unidirectionalfashion with an RF input and RF output, the RF signal direction isillustrative and can be interchanged. Additionally, either port of thetunable reactive element 310 can be connected to a feed point of theantenna 206, a structural element of the antenna 206 in an on-antennaconfiguration, or between antennas for compensating mutual coupling whendiversity antennas are used, or when antennas of differing wirelessaccess technologies are physically in close proximity to each other andthereby are susceptible to mutual coupling. The tunable reactive element310 can also be connected to other circuit components of a transmitteror a receiver section such as filters, amplifiers, and so on, to controloperations thereof.

In another embodiment, the tunable matching network 202 of FIG. 2 cancomprise a control circuit 502 in the form of a decoder and a tunablereactive element 504 comprising switchable reactive elements such asshown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the controller 106 can supply thecontrol circuit 402 signals via the SPI bus 307, which can be decodedwith Boolean or state machine logic to individually enable or disablethe switching elements 602. The switching elements 602 can beimplemented with semiconductor switches, MEMS, or other suitableswitching technology. By independently enabling and disabling thereactive elements 604 (capacitor or inductor) of FIG. 6 with theswitching elements 602, the collective reactive impedance of the tunablereactive element 504 can be varied by the controller 106.

The tunable reactive elements 310 and 504 of FIGS. 3 and 5,respectively, can be used with various circuit components of thetransceiver 102 to enable the controller 106 to manage performancefactors or metrics such as, for example, but not limited to, scalarand/or complex reflection coefficient, transmit power, transmitterefficiency, receiver sensitivity, power consumption of the communicationdevice 100, frequency band selectivity by adjusting filter passbands,linearity and efficiency of power amplifiers, SAR requirements, amongother operational parameters.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustration of a look-up table stored in memory,which can be indexed by the controller 106 of the communication device100 of FIG. 1 according to various criteria for use in dynamic weightedtuning as described herein. For example, the criteria can include one ormore of channel/band, physical and/or functional use cases of thecommunication device 100, and so forth. A physical use case canrepresent a physical state of the communication device 100, while afunctional use case can represent an operational state of thecommunication device 100. The table of FIG. 7 can include variousinformation such as tuning states for increased or optimal performancein Tx, Rx and/or duplex operation (e.g., for a given FDD communication);carrier aggregation and/or aggregated Rx tuning states for increased oroptimal performance; expected performance metric(s) (e.g., inputreflection coefficient) for Tx, Rx and/or duplex operation (e.g., for agiven FDD communication), and so forth.

In one embodiment, for a flip phone 800 of FIG. 8, an open flip canrepresent one physical use case, while a closed flip can representanother physical use case. In a closed flip state (i.e., bottom and topflips 802-804 are aligned), a user is likely to have his/her handssurrounding the top flip 802 and the bottom flip 804 while holding thephone 800, which can result in one range of load impedances experiencedby an internal or retrievable antenna (not shown) of the phone 800. Therange of load impedances of the internal or retrievable antenna can bedetermined by empirical analysis.

With the flip open a user is likely to hold the bottom flip 802 with onehand while positioning the top flip 804 near the user's ear when anaudio system of the phone 800, such audio system 112 of FIG. 1, is setto low volume, and voice channel is active. If, on the other hand, theaudio system 112 is in speakerphone mode, it is likely that the user ispositioning the top flip 804 away from the user's ear. In thesearrangements, different ranges of load impedances can be experienced bythe internal or retrievable antenna, which can be analyzed empirically.The low and high volume states of the audio system 112, as well as, adetermination that a voice channel is active illustrates varyingfunctional use cases.

For a phone 900 with a slideable keypad 902 (illustrated in FIG. 9), thekeypad in an outward position can present one range of load impedancesof an internal antenna, while the keypad in a hidden position canpresent another range of load impedances, each of which can be analyzedempirically. For a smartphone 1000 (illustrated in FIG. 10) presenting avideo game, an assumption can be made that the user is likely to holdthe phone away from the user's ear in order to view the game. Placingthe smartphone 1000 in a portrait position 1002 can represent onephysical and operational use case, while utilizing the smartphone 1000in a landscape position 1004 presents another physical and operationaluse case.

The number of hands and fingers used in the portrait mode may bedetermined by the particular type of game being played by the user. Forexample, a particular video game may require a user interface where asingle finger in portrait mode may be sufficient for controlling thegame. In this scenario, it may be assumed that the user is holding thesmartphone 1000 in one hand in portrait mode and using a finger with theother. By empirical analysis, a possible range of impedances of theinternal antenna(s) of the communication device can be determined whenusing the video game in portrait mode. Similarly, if the video gameselected has a user interface that is known to require two hands inlandscape mode, another estimated range of impedances of the internalantenna can be determined empirically.

A multimode phone 1100 capable of facilitating multiple accesstechnologies such as GSM, CDMA, LTE, WiFi, GPS, and/or Bluetooth in twoor more combinations can provide additional insight into possible rangesof impedances experienced by two or more internal antennas of themultimode phone 1100. For example, a multimode phone 1100 that providesGPS services by processing signals received from a constellation ofsatellites 1102, 1104 can be empirically analyzed when other accesstechnologies are also in use. Suppose, for instance, that whilenavigation services are enabled, the multimode phone 1100 isfacilitating voice communications by exchanging wireless messages with acellular base station 1106. In this state, an internal antenna of theGPS receiver may be affected by a use case of a user holding themultimode phone 1100 (e.g., near the user's ear or away from the user'sear). The effect on the GPS receiver antenna and the GSM antenna by theuser's hand position can be empirically analyzed.

Suppose in another scenario that the antenna of an LTE transceiver is inclose proximity to the antenna of a WiFi transceiver. Further assumethat the LTE frequency band used to facilitate voice communications isnear the operational frequency of the WiFi transceiver. Also assume thata use case for voice communications may result in certain physicalstates of the multimode phone 1100 (e.g., slider out), which can resultin a probable hand position of the user of the multimode phone 1100.Such a physical and functional use case can affect the impedance rangeof the antenna of the WiFi transceiver as well as the antenna of the LTEtransceiver.

A close proximity between the WiFi and LTE antennas and the nearoperational frequency of the antennas may also result in cross-couplingbetween the antennas. Mutual or cross-coupling under these circumstancescan be measured empirically. Similarly, empirical measurements of theimpedances of other internal antennas can be measured for particularphysical and functional use configurations when utilizing Bluetooth,WiFi, Zigbee, or other access technologies in peer-to-peercommunications with another communication device 1108 or with a wirelessaccess point 1110. In diversity designs such as multiple-input andmultiple output (MIMO) antennas, physical and functional use cases of acommunication device can be measured empirically to determine how bestto configure a tunable circuit 122 such as shown in FIG. 1.

The number of physical and functional use cases of a communicationdevice 100 can be substantial when accounting for combinations of accesstechnologies, frequency bands, antennas of different accesstechnologies, antennas configured for diversity designs, and so on.These combinations, however, can be empirically analyzed to determineload impedances of the antenna(s), mutual coupling between them, and theeffects on transmitter and receiver performance metrics. Mitigationstrategies to reduce mutual coupling, counter the effect of varying loadimpedances, and to improve other performance metrics of the transceiver102 can also be determined empirically. The empirical data collected andcorresponding mitigation strategies can be recorded in the look-up tableof FIG. 7 and indexed according to combinations of physical andfunctional use cases detected by the communication device 100. Theinformation stored in the look-up table can be used in open-loop RFtuning applications to initialize tunable circuit components of thetransceiver 102, as well as, closed loop tuning algorithms that controloperational aspects of the tunable circuit components.

FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative embodiment of groups of tuning statesolutions 1200 over operating frequencies of 700-960 MHz for aparticular communication device. The tuning state solutions 1200 canrepresent tuning configurations for a matching network of the particularcommunication device, such as tuning settings for variable reactiveelements (e.g., tuning voltages for voltage tunable dielectriccapacitors, switch settings for tunable-via-switching capacitorcircuits, and so forth). In one or more embodiments, these tuning statesolutions 1200 can be optimized for various communications, such as agroup of first tuning state solutions optimized for Tx operation, agroup of second tuning state solutions optimized for Rx operation, and agroup of third tuning state solutions optimized for duplex operation. Inanother embodiment, the tuning state solutions 1200 can be targeted toimprove performance in various communications, such as the group offirst tuning state solutions targeting Tx operation, the group of secondtuning state solutions targeted to Rx operation, and the group of thirdtuning state solutions targeted to duplex operation. In this embodiment,targeted solutions may be less than an optimum solution, such as withina threshold of an optimum solution. In one or more embodiments, thetuning state solutions 1200 can be pre-determined data, such asdetermined at a time of manufacture and provisioned into a memory of thecommunication device, including for use during FDD communication.

FIG. 13 depicts an illustrative embodiment of groups of tuning statesolutions 1300 over operating frequencies of 700-860 MHz for aparticular communication device. The tuning state solutions 1300 canrepresent tuning configurations for a matching network of the particularcommunication device, such as tuning settings for variable reactiveelements, which in this embodiment have been optimized for Tx operation,Rx operation, and duplex operation. In one embodiment, the tuning statesolutions 1300 can be predetermined information stored in a memory ofthe communication device and accessible during tuning for determining adesired tuning configuration for the matching network. The tuning statesolutions 1300 enable a processor of the communication device to applyweighting to the solutions to determine the desired tuning configurationfor the matching network. For instance, the tuning state solutions 1300can be applied to FDD communications.

For example utilizing a linear interpolation, a Tx weighting (TxW) canbe applied to the selected predetermined Tx and duplex solutions thatare stored in the memory to determine a tuning state (DAC) for thematching network:DAC=TxW*TxDAC+(1−TxW)*DuplexDAC

In this example, the TxW is utilized to interpolate between the storedvalues for the optimal Tx and optimal duplex operation. FIG. 13illustrates a TxW of 1.0 where the tuning state is the optimal Txsolution and further illustrates a TxW of 0 where the tuning state isthe optimal duplex solution. In this example, the determination of theappropriate weighting is utilized for biasing the tuning state betweenoptimal Tx and duplex operation.

In another example, an Rx weighting (RxW) can be applied to the selectedpredetermined Tx and duplex solutions that are stored in the memory todetermine a tuning state (DAC) for the matching network:DAC=RxW*RxDAC+(1 −RxW)*DuplexDAC

In this example, the RxW is utilized to interpolate between the storedvalues for the optimal Rx and optimal duplex operation. FIG. 13illustrates a RxW of 1.0 where the tuning state is the optimal Rxsolution and further illustrates a RxW of 0 where the tuning state isthe optimal duplex solution. In this example, the determination of theappropriate weighting is utilized for biasing the tuning state betweenoptimal Rx and duplex operation. Other formulas and/or interpolationscan also be applied for implementing weighting which may or may not belinear.

In these embodiments, the stored solutions can be in a table in thememory of the communication device and the table tuning values can beDAC values that represent voltage tuning signals to be applied tovoltage tunable capacitors. However, the table tuning values can be anyvalues or data (e.g., switch position) that represent a state orconfiguration for a tunable reactive element to provide a desired levelof tuning. In one or more embodiments, the communication device canfirst determine whether the biasing is towards Tx operation or Rxoperation, and can then apply the corresponding Tx or Rx weighting asshown above.

In one or more embodiments, various criteria or combinations of criteriacan be utilized to determine weighting to be applied between Txoperation tuning and Rx operation tuning. The criteria can include oneor more operational functions such as resource block allocation,modulation type, data throughput, Tx power level, RSSI, RSCP, DTX,battery level, the antenna use case (e.g., closed loop-derived use casedetermination), and so forth. The operational functions can bemeasurable criteria that are determined in real-time so that real-timeor near-real-time tuning can be performed. The tuning can be dynamicsuch that a detected change in an operational function (e.g., a changein data throughput during an FDD communication session) can trigger anadjustment to Tx and/or Rx weighting applied during tuning. In one ormore embodiments, the dynamic adjustments can be performed incombination with static Tx/Rx weighting adjustments made in a designphase, such as based on Margin to OTA specs or TRP vs. TIS. In one ormore embodiments, one or more first operational functions can beutilized to determine in which direction to bias the match (i.e.,towards the Tx tuning state solution or towards the Rx tuning statesolution). Then, one or more second operational functions can beutilized to determine the amount of the weighting to be used forinterpolation (e.g., between 0 to 1.0). Other techniques can be utilizedfor determining an amount of weighting, such as determining theweighting amount according to an analysis of a particular operationalfunction with respect to an operational threshold. For instance, aprocessor of a communication device can utilize a full weighting (1.0)towards the Rx tuning state solution (e.g., the matching network istuned according to a selected tuning configuration that is optimized forRx operation) where an amount of expected data to be received isestimated to be above a first threshold but utilizing other weightingsless than 1.0 depending on the amount of expected data to be received.

In one embodiment, a measurement-based weighting determination can bemade based on RSSI. For example, an RSSI determination can be made. Ifthe RSSI is within a threshold (e.g., 10 dB) of sensitivity, then aweighting bias of the match towards the Rx tuning state solution can bedone. If the RSSI is within another threshold (e.g., 10-15 dB) fromsensitivity, then duplex matching can be utilized. If the RSSI is morethan yet another threshold (e.g., 15 dB from sensitivity), then aweighting bias of the match towards the Tx tuning state solution can bedone.

FIG. 14 depicts an illustrative embodiment of groups of tuning statesolutions 1400 over operating frequencies of 700-960 MHz for aparticular communication device that can be utilized during carrieraggregation operation. The tuning state solutions 1400 can representtuning configurations for a matching network of a particularcommunication device, such as tuning settings for variable reactiveelements (e.g., tuning voltages for voltage tunable dielectriccapacitors, switch settings for tunable-via-switching capacitorcircuits, and so forth). In one or more embodiments, these tuning statesolutions 1400 can be optimized for various communications, such as agroup of first tuning state solutions optimized for Tx operation, agroup of second tuning state solutions optimized for Rx operation, agroup of third tuning state solutions optimized for duplex operation, agroup of fourth tuning state solutions optimized for aggregated Rxoperation, and a group of fifth tuning state solutions optimized forcarrier aggregation which considers operation at all of the carriersbeing used. In this example the carrier aggregation tuning stateconsiders simultaneous operation at the Tx frequency, Rx frequency andaggregated Rx frequency. In another embodiment, targeted solutions canbe utilized in place of optimal solutions where the targeted solutionsmay be less than an optimum solution, such as within a threshold of anoptimum solution. In one or more embodiments, the tuning state solutions1400 can be pre-determined data, such as determined at a time ofmanufacture and provisioned into a memory of the communication device,including for use during FDD and/or carrier aggregation communication.In one embodiment, two or more states of the groups of tuning statesolutions can be interpolated between utilizing weighting factors todetermine a tuning configuration. The weighting factors can bedetermined based on various criteria, such as described above withrespect to FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 depicts an illustrative embodiment of groups of tuning statesolutions 1500 over operating frequencies of 700-960 MHz for aparticular communication device. The tuning state solutions 1500 canrepresent tuning configurations for a matching network of the particularcommunication device, such as tuning settings for variable reactiveelements, which in this embodiment have been optimized for carrieraggregation operation, aggregated Rx operation, and duplex operation. Inone embodiment, the tuning state solutions 1500 can be predeterminedinformation stored in a memory of the communication device andaccessible during tuning for determining a desired tuning configurationfor the matching network. The tuning state solutions 1500 enable aprocessor of the communication device to apply weighting to thesolutions to determine the desired tuning configuration for the matchingnetwork. The tuning state solutions 1500 can be applied to FDD andcarrier aggregation communications.

As an example for FIG. 15, various criteria or combinations of criteriacan be utilized to determine weighting to be applied between carrieraggregation operation, aggregated Rx operation, and duplex operation,where such weighting provides a bias for improved performance towardsthe particular type of operation. The weighting criteria can include oneor more operational functions such as resource block allocation of eachcarrier, modulation type of each carrier, data throughput, Tx powerlevel, RSSI for each carrier, RSCP for each carrier, DTX, battery level,the antenna use case (e.g., closed loop-derived use case determination),and so forth. The operational functions can be measurable criteria thatare determined in real-time so that real-time or near-real-time tuningcan be performed.

The tuning can be dynamic such that a detected change in an operationalfunction (e.g., a change in data throughput during an FDD/carrieraggregation communication session) can trigger an adjustment to carrieraggregation weighting, aggregated Rx weighting, and duplex weightingapplied during tuning. In one or more embodiments, the dynamicadjustments can be performed in combination with static weightingadjustments made in a design phase, such as based on Margin to OTAspecs. For instance, duplex weighting can be determined and thenutilized to interpolate between an optimal duplex tuning state solution(e.g., selected and stored in memory) and an optimal carrier aggregationtuning state solution (e.g., selected and stored in memory). In anotherexample, aggregated Rx weighting can be determined and then utilized tointerpolate between an optimal aggregated Rx tuning state solution(e.g., selected and stored in memory) and an optimal carrier aggregationtuning state solution (e.g., selected and stored in memory).

In one or more embodiments for carrier aggregation, one or more firstoperational functions can be utilized to determine in which direction tobias the match (e.g., towards the optimal aggregated Rx tuning statesolution tuning state solution or towards the optimal duplex tuningstate solution). Then, one or more second operational functions can beutilized to determine the amount of the weighting to be used forinterpolation (e.g., between 0 to 1.0). Other techniques can be utilizedfor determining an amount of weighting, such as determining theweighting amount according to an analysis of a particular operationalfunction with respect to an operational threshold. For instance, aprocessor of a communication device can utilize a full weighting (1.0)towards the optimal aggregated Rx tuning state solution (e.g., thematching network is tuned according to a selected tuning configurationthat is optimized for aggregated Rx operation) where an amount ofexpected data to be received is estimated to be above a first thresholdbut utilizing other weightings less than 1.0 depending on the amount ofexpected data to be received. The carrier aggregation example in FIGS.14-15 shows a primary band consisting of Tx and Rx and an aggregatedband consisting of Rx. The carriers in the primary band are primarycomponent carriers and the carriers in the aggregated bands aresecondary component carriers. In this example, the UL has a primarycomponent carrier and the DL has a primary component carrier and asecondary component carrier. This is referred to as downlink carrieraggregation because an additional Rx carrier is aggregated with theprimary component carrier to increase the downlink bandwidth. Carrieraggregation can also be used in the uplink by aggregating additional Txcarriers to increase the uplink bandwidth. It should be understood thatthe embodiments described here can be used for DL carrier aggregationand UL carrier aggregation. The carrier aggregation example in FIGS.14-15 shows one secondary component carrier. Currently, the 3GPPstandards specify up to 4 secondary component carriers can be aggregatedwith the primary component carrier allowing simultaneous reception over5 bands. This trend of increased aggregation is likely to continue toexpand in future systems. In such a configuration it would beadvantageous to store tuning states for each aggregated band or group ofaggregated bands and apply dynamic weighting to these states. It shouldbe understood that the embodiments described here can apply to anynumber of aggregated bands. In general, these techniques apply to anysystem that require simultaneous operation at multiple frequency bands.A simple example being FDD operation with Tx and Rx frequency bands anda more complex, but still common, example being carrier aggregation withtwo UL carriers and four DL carriers.

Referring to FIGS. 16-17, link margins can be different for each carrierin carrier aggregation communications, particularly since an aggregatedband may have a different serving cell. Thus, weighting the matchdifferently for each aggregated band as in the exemplary embodiments canbe beneficial. Additionally, the compromise in matching tosimultaneously match all aggregated bands can be more significant thanthe compromise for duplex tuning. In the illustrations of FIGS. 16-17,each component carrier can correspond to a serving cell. The differentserving cells may have different coverage.

Referring to FIGS. 18-19, one or more of the exemplary embodiments canutilize a two-dimensional algorithm for tuning. FIG. 18 illustrates aschematic of a portion of a communication device 1800 along withcorresponding Smith charts 1900 for the device's operation. The antennaS11 parameter for all use cases can be examined in each band (orsubband). For each band, a tuning grid in the antenna plane can be setor determined to sufficiently cover the entire range of use cases.Γ_(ANT) is antenna S11 at the antenna plane. Γ_(OPT) is tuner S11 at thetuner input plane for each Γ_(ANT) with the optimal tuning state appliedto the tuner for each Γ_(ANT). Γ_(OPT(SENSE)) is Γ_(OPT) as measured bythe Sense IC at the Sense plane.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an example implementation of 2D tuning. Thetuning domain can be on a 2-dimensional grid in the Antenna Gamma spacewhich sufficiently covers all antenna uses cases. The grid can berectangular, polar, or annular, and is not required to be uniform. Eachgrid location can correspond to the antenna gamma at the Tx frequency.For each grid location, the antenna gamma at the Rx frequency can beestimated based on S-parameter characterization of the antenna. For eachgrid location, the tuner S-parameters can be evaluated at all tuningstates and the optimal tuning state (e.g., a set of DAC values) can berecorded in a table or other data structure. There can be any number ofDACs (e.g., 3 or more) for each tuning state, but the search can stillbe 2-dimensional in the gamma space. The optimal or improved tuningstate can be optimized or improved for Tx, Rx, both Tx and Rx, or otheroperations such as carrier aggregation. A compromise between operationalparameters and/or Tx and Rx mode can also be utilized during the tuning.

FIG. 2000 illustrates tuning grids 2000 established and utilized forbands 4 and 5. The antenna S11 for all use cases can be examined in eachband (or subband). For each band, a tuning grid in the antenna plane isset to sufficiently cover the entire range of use cases.

Referring to FIG. 21, tuning grid 2100 is illustrated for 2D tuning fora tuner with two voltage controlled capacitors (or other tunablereactive elements) is illustrated. V1 and V2 can be determined inadvance and stored in a lookup table in the communication device foreach point in the 2D, M×N grid. V1 and V2 can be restricted to the pairslisted in the table. The tuning can be performed in the 2D grid spacevarying m and n. V1 and V2 can be retrieved from the lookup table basedon the grid position. In one embodiment, V1 and V2 may not varyindependently. M and n can be the two independent variables and V1 andV2 can be strictly dependent on m and n.

Referring to FIG. 22, 2D tuning for a tuner with three voltagecontrolled capacitors is illustrated in the tuning grid 2200. V1, V2 andV3 can be determined in advance and stored in a lookup table for eachpoint in the 2D, M×N grid. V1, V2 and V3 can be restricted to the pairslisted in the table. The tuning can be performed in the 2D grid spacevarying m and n. V1, V2 and V3 can be retrieved from the lookup tablebased on the grid position. In one embodiment, V1, V2 and V3 may notvary independently. M and n are the two independent variables and V1, V2and V3 can be strictly dependent on m and n.

By utilizing 2D tuning rather than 3D tuning, even for three tunablereactance devices, the exemplary embodiment can avoid a failure ofconvergence and/or solutions trapped at local minima With 3D tuning,determined tuning values can have low reflection loss but highdissipative loss which is still undesired. The 2D tuning algorithm ofthe exemplary embodiments, filters out such lossy solutions for tuningvalues.

The 2D tuning described in FIGS. 18-22 can be utilized in conjunctionwith the dynamic weighting technique (e.g., for duplex communicationand/or carrier aggregation communication) described herein. Otherexamples of 2D tuning and other tuning techniques, as well as otherapplicable functions (including antenna selection), are described inU.S. application Ser. No. 14/571,928 filed on Dec. 16, 2014, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Referring to FIG. 23, an example closed loop system 2300 is illustratedthat can be utilized for applying a dynamic weighting technique (e.g.,for duplex communication and/or carrier aggregation communication)during tuning. System 2300 utilizes gamma as a criteria for weighting ofthe tuning state solution. In one embodiment, gamma corresponds to aninput gamma, such as an input reflection coefficient. Gamma can be acomplex parameter (Real, Imaginary) or (Magnitude, Phase) which is usedto compute an error function in the closed loop system 2300. An optimalor target (gamma_opt) can be compared to a measured gamma or (S11).Where the measured gamma represents an input reflection coefficient,system 2300 can measure RF return loss and reflected phase may be usedto compute the measured gamma.

In one or more embodiments, throughout the closed loop tuning statetransitions, the value of gamma_opt may be constant. In one or moreother embodiments, the value of gamma_opt can vary as a function of thetuning state. In one or more embodiments, the value of gamma_opt may bepredefined in a table for each allowed tuning state. In one or moreembodiments, the value of gamma_opt may be interpolated between tuningstates. Other network parameters may be used as an alternative toS-parameters, such as Z or Y parameters. For example, Zopt may be storedand then compared to a measured Zin.

Referring to FIGS. 24-25, an embodiment is illustrated in which system2500 utilizes a dynamic weighting technique (e.g., for FDDcommunications) during tuning 2400. Tuning 2400 utilizes gamma_opt witha table (stored in the communication device memory) that containspre-determined DAC values for optimum or improved performance forduplex, Tx, and Rx operation. In one embodiment, the table can furthercontain gamma_opt (e.g., expected input reflection coefficient) forduplex only. In this embodiment, a closed loop optimization can find theduplex solution and a Tx/duplex/Rx weight can then be applied after theoptimization is determined. Tuning 2400 enables the duplex weighting tobe adjusted dynamically, as a function of the real-time conditions ofthe radio, the link, and/or the current application or usage of thecommunication device.

In one embodiment, system 2500 has access to a table or other datastructure for looking up tuning state solutions (e.g., DACs). In thisexample, the tuning state solutions are referred to as DAC values, butthe tuning state solutions can be any tuning state that is applied to atunable reactive element to adjust the reactance of the element andthereby implement tuning, such as via the matching network. Forinstance, optimum DACs can be calculated (e.g., at a time of manufactureor otherwise provisioned to the communication device) such as forduplex, Tx and Rx operation (e.g., at various frequencies). In one ormore embodiments, the stored table can be populated with one or more ofduplex DACs, Tx DACs and Rx DACs that are optimum or target performancevalues.

At 2410, duplex DACs can be selected from the table according to aband/channel. In one embodiment at 2415, an interpolation of DACs can beimplemented. For example, the table can store low, middle and highchannel DAC values per operating frequency and the communication devicemay be operating therebetween. The number of DAC values can correspondto the particular configuration of the matching network, such as amatching network that has three voltage tunable dielectric capacitorshave three DACs.

At 2420, the selected (or interpolated) duplex DACs can be utilized asthe tuning configuration and applied to the matching network for tuning,such as adjusting the tuning reactive elements according to the duplexDACs. At 2425, gamma (e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RFreturn loss and reflected phase) can be measured and can be compared toan expected performance. For example at 2430, a figure of merit can becalculated using the measured gamma and the optimum gamma for duplexoperation (gamma_opt_duplex) stored in the table. The figure of meritcan be the gamma value or can be based in part on the gamma value, suchas taking into account other criteria including maximum phase shifts,maximum tuning steps, and other factors.

At 2435, the figure of merit can be compared to a threshold to determinewhether other duplex DAC values are to be utilized or whether theweighting is to be utilized with the current duplex DAC values. In oneembodiment, the threshold can be an error threshold associated with thefigure of merit that is a static threshold. In another embodiment, theerror threshold can be dynamic, such as varying based on variousfactors, such as communication type (voice, video, data or messaging),communication protocol, network requirements, network conditions, and soforth. In one or more embodiments, the threshold analysis can be acomparison of the measured gamma with the stored gamma_opt_duplex.

If the figure of merit is outside of the error threshold or otherwisedoes not satisfy the threshold of the figure of merit then at 2440 newduplex DAC values can be determined. For example, a 2D grid can beutilized where a next value is selected for the duplex DAC value. Inthis example, every band can have its own grid and/or each grid can haveits own gamma data. For instance, the next value in the stored grid canbe in one of four directions (e.g., right or left and up or down). Theparticular direction that is utilized can be based on various factorssuch as based on a coarse tuning gamma point that was previouslyutilized.

If the figure of merit is within the error threshold or otherwisesatisfies the threshold of the figure of merit then at 2445 Tx and RxDAC values can be selected from the stored table and weighting can beapplied to interpolate between the Tx, Rx and duplex DAC values. Forexample, each grid point can have a Tx DAC value, an Rx DAC value, aduplex DAC value, and a gamma_opt_duplex value in the table. A weightingfactor can be determined (e.g., according to an operational function)and the weighting factor can be utilized to determine weighted DACvalues from the duplex DAC value that are biased towards the Tx DACvalue or the Rx DAC value. In one or more embodiments, weightingcriteria can include one or more operational functions such as resourceblock allocation, modulation type, data throughput, Tx power level,RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level, the antenna use case (e.g., closedloop-derived use case determination), and so forth. The operationalfunctions can be measurable criteria that are determined in real-time sothat real-time or near-real-time tuning can be performed. Otheroperational functions can include a determined usage of thecommunication device, such as a determination that the device will bedownloading a file of a certain size, or a determination that aparticular application is being executed that typically transmits largefiles. The weighted DAC values can then be utilized for the tuningconfiguration of the matching network. For instance, the tunablereactive elements can be adjusted according to the weighted DAC valuesto adjust the tuning.

At 2450, a criteria can be determined for continuing to tune thecommunication device utilizing the weighted DAC values (i.e., “hold”) orfor determining new DAC values for tuning. For example, agamma_reference (e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RF returnloss and reflected phase) can be measured after the tuning based on theweighted DAC values is performed. At 2455 and 2460, monitoring of ameasured gamma as compared to the gamma_reference can be performed. Forexample, the measured gamma can be compared to the gamma_referenceaccording to a hold threshold. If the hold threshold is satisfied (e.g.,the measured gamma is within a threshold amount of the gamma_reference)then the monitoring continues, but if the hold threshold is notsatisfied then new duplex DAC values can be determined at 2465, such asaccording to the 2D grid described with respect to 2440. Tuning 2400 canthen be repeated utilizing the new duplex DAC values.

Tuning 2400 enables duplex tuning to be performed using duplex DACs anda duplex gamma opt. When the hold is reached (e.g., the figure of meritthreshold is satisfied), tuning can then be adjusted according to Tx/Rxweight by interpolating between stored duplex, Tx, Rx DACs. Afterapplying weighted DACs, a measurement (e.g., input reflectioncoefficient based on RF return loss and reflected phase) can be made asa reference for the threshold to exit hold and resume tuning. When thetuning resumes (at 2465), duplex tuning is again implemented until thehold is again reached, and the weighted tuning is applied.

Referring to FIGS. 26-27, another embodiment is illustrated in whichsystem 2700 utilizes a dynamic weighting technique (e.g., for FDDcommunications) during tuning 2600. Tuning 2600 utilizes gamma_opt witha table (stored in the communication device memory) that containspre-determined DAC values for optimum or improved performance for Tx andRx operation. The table can further contain gamma_opt (e.g., expectedinput reflection coefficient) for Tx and Rx, such as indexed to the Txfrequency. In this embodiment, a closed loop optimization can find theTx and Rx solutions and a Tx/Rx weight can then be applied after theoptimization is determined. Tuning 2600 enables the weighting to beadjusted dynamically, as a function of the real-time conditions of theradio, the link, and/or the current application or usage of thecommunication device.

In one embodiment, system 2700 has access to a table or other datastructure for looking up tuning state solutions (e.g., DACs). In thisexample, the tuning state solutions are referred to as DAC values, butthe tuning state solutions can be any tuning state that is applied to atunable reactive element to adjust the reactance of the element andthereby implement tuning, such as via the matching network. Forinstance, optimum DACs can be calculated (e.g., at a time of manufactureor otherwise provisioned to the communication device) such as for Tx andRx operation (e.g., at various frequencies). In one or more embodiments,the stored table can be populated with one or more of Tx DACs and RxDACs that are optimum or target performance values.

At 2610, Tx and Rx DACs can be selected from the table according to aband/channel. In one embodiment at 2615, an interpolation of these DACscan be implemented. For example, the table can store low, middle andhigh channel DAC values per operating frequency and the communicationdevice may be operating therebetween. The number of DAC values cancorrespond to the particular configuration of the matching network, suchas a matching network that has three voltage tunable dielectriccapacitors have three DACs.

At 2620, the selected (or interpolated) Tx DACs can be utilized as thetuning configuration and applied to the matching network for tuning,such as adjusting the tuning reactive elements according to the Tx DACs.A first gamma (e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RF returnloss and reflected phase) can then be measured. At 2625, the selected(or interpolated) Rx DACs can be utilized as the tuning configurationand applied to the matching network for tuning, such as adjusting thetuning reactive elements according to the Rx DACs. A second gamma (e.g.,input reflection coefficient based on RF return loss and reflectedphase) can then be measured.

At 2630, the first and second gammas can be aggregated. Figures of meritcan be calculated using the measured first and second gammas and thecorresponding optimum gammas for Tx and Rx operation stored in thetable. The figure of merits can be the gamma values or can be based inpart on the gamma values, such as taking into account other criteriaincluding maximum phase shifts, maximum tuning steps, and other factors.A composite or aggregate figure of merit can be determined according tothe two figures of merit. In one embodiment, a weighting factor can bedetermined (e.g., according to an operational function) and theweighting factor can be utilized to determine the composite figure ofmerit. In one or more embodiments, weighting criteria can include one ormore operational functions such as resource block allocation, modulationtype, data throughput, Tx power level, RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level,the antenna use case (e.g., closed loop-derived use case determination),and so forth. The operational functions can be measurable criteria thatare determined in real-time so that real-time or near-real-time tuningcan be performed. Other operational functions can include a determinedusage of the communication device, such as a determination that thedevice will be downloading a file of a certain size, or a determinationthat a particular application is being executed that typically transmitslarge files.

At 2635, the composite figure of merit can be compared to a threshold todetermine whether other Tx and Rx DAC values are to be utilized orwhether the weighting is to be utilized with the current Tx and Rx DACvalues. In one embodiment, the threshold can be an error thresholdassociated with the composite figure of merit that is a staticthreshold. In another embodiment, the error threshold can be dynamic,such as varying based on various factors, such as communication type(voice, video, data or messaging), communication protocol, networkrequirements, network conditions, and so forth. In one or moreembodiments, the threshold analysis can be a comparison of the measuredcomposite gamma with a composite gamma_opt calculated from storedgamma_opts for Tx and Rx operation.

If the composite figure of merit is outside of the error threshold orotherwise does not satisfy the threshold of the composite figure ofmerit then at 2640 new Tx and Rx DAC values can be determined. Forexample, a 2D grid can be utilized where a next value is selected forthe Tx and Rx DAC values. In this example, every band can have its owngrid and/or each grid can have its own gamma data. For instance, thenext value in the stored grid can be in one of four directions (e.g.,right or left and up or down). The particular direction that is utilizedcan be based on various factors such as based on a coarse tuning gammapoint that was previously utilized.

If the composite figure of merit is within the error threshold orotherwise satisfies the threshold of the composite figure of merit thenat 2645 the weighting factor can be applied to interpolate or otherwiseadjust between the Tx, Rx in conjunction with duplex DAC values storedin the table. The weighted DAC values can then be utilized for thetuning configuration of the matching network. For instance, the tunablereactive elements can be adjusted according to the weighted DAC valuesto adjust the tuning.

At 2650, a criteria can be determined for continuing to tune thecommunication device utilizing the weighted DAC values (i.e., “hold”) orfor determining new Tx and Rx DAC values for tuning. For example, agamma_reference (e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RF returnloss and reflected phase) can be measured after the tuning based on theweighted DAC values is performed. At 2655 and 2660, monitoring of ameasured gamma as compared to the gamma_reference can be performed. Forexample, the measured gamma can be compared to the gamma_referenceaccording to a hold threshold. If the hold threshold is satisfied (e.g.,the measured gamma is within a threshold amount of the gamma_reference)then the monitoring continues, but if the hold threshold is notsatisfied then new Tx and Rx DAC values can be determined at 2665, suchas according to the 2D grid described with respect to 2640. Tuning 2600can then be repeated utilizing the new Tx and Rx DAC values.

Tuning 2600 can utilize a pre-determined stored table that contains DACvalues for Tx and Rx, as well as gamma_opt for Tx and Rx. Gamma can bemeasured with Tx DACs and used to calculate Tx figure of merit whilegamma can be measured with Rx DACs and used to calculate Rx figure ofmerit. In one embodiment, duplex weighting between Tx and Rx can beapplied to the figure of merits during optimization. In anotherembodiment, duplex weighting between Tx and Rx is not applied to theDACs until after optimization. The duplex weighting can be adjusteddynamically, as a function of the real-time conditions of the radio, thelink, and/or the current application or usage of the handset.

In one embodiment the table can be generated by calculating optimum DACsfor Tx. For each Tx antenna grid point (see 2D grid described herein),Rx ant pair can be derived and optimum DACs for Rx can be calculated.The table can be populated with Tx DACs and Rx DACs, along with a columnthat is gamma_opt for opt Tx and a column that is gamma_opt for opt Rx.This can be obtained by applying opt RX DACs, applying paired Tx load,and calculating Rx gamma opt at Tx frequency. Tuning 2600 enables usingTx gamma_opt to calculate Tx figure of merit and using Rx gamma_opt tocalculate Rx figure of merit. The composite figure of merit can becalculated and weighting can be applied (e.g., to each of the Tx and Rxfigures of merit). In one embodiment, weighting can be applied to theDACs throughout the tuning process.

Referring to FIGS. 28-29, another embodiment is illustrated in whichsystem 2900 utilizes a dynamic weighting technique (e.g., for FDDcommunications) during tuning 2800. Tuning 2800 utilizes gamma_opt witha table (stored in the communication device memory) that containspre-determined DAC values for optimum or improved performance forduplex, Tx, and Rx operation. In one embodiment, the table can furthercontain gamma_opt (e.g., expected input reflection coefficient) forduplex, Tx and Rx, such as indexed to the Tx frequency. In thisembodiment, a closed loop optimization can be performed where weightingfactors are applied to both the DACs and the gamma_opts.

In one embodiment, system 2900 has access to a table or other datastructure for looking up tuning state solutions (e.g., DACs). In thisexample, the tuning state solutions are referred to as DAC values, butthe tuning state solutions can be any tuning state that is applied to atunable reactive element to adjust the reactance of the element andthereby implement tuning, such as via the matching network. Forinstance, optimum DACs can be calculated (e.g., at a time of manufactureor otherwise provisioned to the communication device) such as forduplex, Tx and Rx operation (e.g., at various frequencies). In one ormore embodiments, the stored table can be populated with one or more ofduplex DACs, Tx DACs and Rx DACs that are optimum or target performancevalues. Other information can be stored in the table and utilized fortuning, including expected performance metrics, such as expected inputreflect coefficients.

At 2810, Tx, Rx and duplex DACs can be selected from the table accordingto a band/channel. In one embodiment at 2815, an interpolation of DACscan be implemented. For example, the table can store low, middle andhigh channel DAC values per operating frequency and the communicationdevice may be operating therebetween. The number of DAC values cancorrespond to the particular configuration of the matching network, suchas a matching network that has three voltage tunable dielectriccapacitors have three DACs.

At 2820, a further interpolation can be applied to the selected (orinterpolated) Tx, Rx and duplex DACs according to a weighting factor toobtain a set of weighted DACs. In one or more embodiments, weightingfactor can be based on one or more operational functions such asresource block allocation, modulation type, data throughput, Tx powerlevel, RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level, the antenna use case (e.g.,closed loop-derived use case determination), and so forth. Theoperational functions can be measurable criteria that are determined inreal-time so that real-time or near-real-time tuning can be performed.Other operational functions can include a determined usage of thecommunication device, such as a determination that the device will bedownloading a file of a certain size, or a determination that aparticular application is being executed that typically transmits largefiles.

At 2825, the weighted DACs can then be utilized as the tuningconfiguration and applied to the matching network for tuning, such asadjusting the tuning reactive elements according to the weighted DACs.At 2830, gamma (e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RF returnloss and reflected phase) can be measured and can be compared to anexpected performance. For example at 2835, the expected performance canbe weighted according to operational function(s). For instance, aninterpolation between stored gamma_opt values for Tx, Rx and duplexoperation can be performed according to the weighting factor resultingin a composite weighted gamma_opt value. A figure of merit can becalculated using the measured gamma and the composite weighted gamma_optvalue. The figure of merit can be the gamma value or can be based inpart on the gamma value, such as taking into account other criteriaincluding maximum phase shifts, maximum tuning steps, and other factors.

At 2840, the figure of merit can be compared to a threshold to determinewhether other Tx, Rx and duplex DAC values are to be utilized or whetherthe current weighted DACs are to continue to be utilized for tuning(i.e., “hold”). In one embodiment, the threshold can be an errorthreshold associated with the figure of merit that is a staticthreshold. In another embodiment, the error threshold can be dynamic,such as varying based on various factors, such as communication type(voice, video, data or messaging), communication protocol, networkrequirements, network conditions, and so forth. In one or moreembodiments, the threshold analysis can be a comparison of the measuredgamma when the weighted DACs are used for tuning with a compositeweighted gamma_opt that is determined from weighting and combining thegamma_opt for Tx, Rx and duplex operation.

If the figure of merit is outside of the error threshold or otherwisedoes not satisfy the threshold of the figure of merit then at 2845 newTx, Rx and duplex DAC values can be determined. For example, a 2D gridcan be utilized where a next value is selected for the DAC values. Inthis example, every band can have its own grid and/or each grid can haveits own gamma data. For instance, the next value in the stored grid canbe in one of four directions (e.g., right or left and up or down). Theparticular direction that is utilized can be based on various factorssuch as based on a coarse tuning gamma point that was previouslyutilized.

If the figure of merit is within the error threshold or otherwisesatisfies the threshold of the figure of merit then at 2850, a criteriacan be determined for continuing to tune the communication deviceutilizing the weighted DAC values. For example, a gamma_reference (e.g.,input reflection coefficient based on RF return loss and reflectedphase) can be measured after the tuning based on the weighted DAC valuesis performed. At 2855 and 2860, monitoring of a measured gamma ascompared to the gamma_reference can be performed. For example, themeasured gamma can be compared to the gamma_reference according to ahold threshold. If the hold threshold is satisfied (e.g., the measuredgamma is within a threshold amount of the gamma_reference) then themonitoring continues, but if the hold threshold is not satisfied thennew Tx, Rx, and duplex DAC values can be determined at 2865, such asaccording to the 2D grid described with respect to 2840. Tuning 2800 canthen be repeated utilizing the new Tx, Rx, and duplex DAC values. Tuning2800 enables tuning to be performed using weighted Tx, Rx and duplexDACs and a composite weighted gamma opt.

Referring to FIGS. 30-31, an embodiment is illustrated in which system3100 utilizes a dynamic weighting technique (e.g., for FDDcommunications) during tuning 3000. Tuning 3000 uses a number of similarsteps as in tuning 2400 of FIG. 24. For example, tuning 3000 calculatesoptimum or desired DACs for duplex operation and fills a table withthese duplex DACs. Columns are added to the table that is a grid offsetfor opt_Tx and for opt_Rx. The algorithm can be implemented to optimizefor duplex operation. However, instead of storing Tx and Rx DAC values,system 3100 stores grid offsets where the grid offset is applied to asolution by interpolating between opt_Tx grid offset and opt_Rx gridoffset based on the weight factor. As an example at 3045, onceoptimization has been performed and a hold implemented (e.g., the figureof merit that is calculated according to the measured gamma isdetermined to satisfy an error threshold associated with the storedgamma_opt_duplex) then tuning 3000 can look up Tx and Rx grid offsetsfrom the stored table and weighting can be applied to interpolatebetween the Tx grid offset, the Rx grid offset and the duplex DACvalues. A weighting factor can be determined (e.g., according to anoperational function) and the weighting factor can be utilized todetermine weighted DAC values. In one or more embodiments, weightingcriteria can include one or more operational functions such as resourceblock allocation, modulation type, data throughput, Tx power level,RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level, the antenna use case (e.g., closedloop-derived use case determination), and so forth. The operationalfunctions can be measurable criteria that are determined in real-time sothat real-time or near-real-time tuning can be performed. Otheroperational functions can include a determined usage of thecommunication device, such as a determination that the device will bedownloading a file of a certain size, or a determination that aparticular application is being executed that typically transmits largefiles. The weighted DAC values can then be utilized for the tuningconfiguration of the matching network. For instance, the tunablereactive elements can be adjusted according to the weighted DAC valuesto adjust the tuning.

At 3050, a criteria can be determined for continuing to tune thecommunication device utilizing the weighted DAC values (i.e., “hold”) orfor determining new duplex DAC values for tuning. For example, agamma_reference (e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RF returnloss and reflected phase) can be measured after the tuning based on theweighted DAC values is performed. At 3055 and 3060, monitoring of ameasured gamma as compared to the gamma_reference can be performed. Forexample, the measured gamma can be compared to the gamma_referenceaccording to a hold threshold. If the hold threshold is satisfied (e.g.,the measured gamma is within a threshold amount of the gamma_reference)then the monitoring continues, but if the hold threshold is notsatisfied then new duplex DAC values can be determined at 3065, such asaccording to the 2D grid described herein. Tuning 3000 can then berepeated utilizing the new duplex DAC values.

Referring to FIGS. 32-33, an embodiment is illustrated in which system3300 utilizes a dynamic weighting technique (e.g., for FDDcommunications) during tuning 3200. Tuning 3200 uses a number of similarsteps as in tuning 2400 of FIG. 24. For example, tuning 3200 calculatesoptimum or desired DACs for duplex operation and fills a table withthese duplex DACs, as well as gamma_opt for duplex operation. The tablecan further contain complex figure of merit offsets (i.e., Real andimaginary) for Tx and Rx. A weighting factor can be applied during theoptimization using the stored figure of merit offsets for Tx and Rx. Asan example, a figure of merit real and imaginary parts can be calculatedas the difference between the measured gamma and the stored gamma_opt. Atarget figure of merit real part and figure of merit imaginary part canbe set to 0 for duplex operation. A target figure of merit real part andfigure of merit imaginary part can be set to nonzero for Tx or Rx. Inone embodiment when trying to determine a best nonzero target, system3300 can vary the magnitude and phase of the figure of merit. Once thecorrect nonzero figure of merit is determined, the real and imaginaryparts can be applied in algorithm. The weighting can be adjusted inreal-time, such as based on power, band, modulation, and otheroperational functions described herein.

Similar to tuning 2400, tuning 3200 can utilize the selected (orinterpolated) duplex DACs as the tuning configuration; gamma (e.g.,input reflection coefficient based on RF return loss and reflectedphase) can be measured; and gamma can be compared to an expectedperformance. For example, a figure of merit can be calculated using themeasured gamma and the optimum gamma for duplex operation(gamma_opt_duplex) stored in the table. The figure of merit can be thegamma value or can be based in part on the gamma value, such as takinginto account other criteria including maximum phase shifts, maximumtuning steps, and other factors. However, at 3230, the figure of meritis then offset or otherwise adjusted according to the weighting factorresulting in an offset figure of merit. In one or more embodiments,weighting criteria can include one or more operational functions such asresource block allocation, modulation type, data throughput, Tx powerlevel, RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level, the antenna use case (e.g.,closed loop-derived use case determination), and so forth. Theoperational functions can be measurable criteria that are determined inreal-time so that real-time or near-real-time tuning can be performed.Other operational functions can include a determined usage of thecommunication device, such as a determination that the device will bedownloading a file of a certain size, or a determination that aparticular application is being executed that typically transmits largefiles.

At 3235, the offset figure of merit can be compared to a threshold todetermine whether other duplex DAC values are to be utilized or whetherthe tuning is to continue utilizing the current duplex DACs. In oneembodiment, the threshold can be an error threshold associated with theoffset figure of merit that is a static threshold. In anotherembodiment, the error threshold can be dynamic, such as varying based onvarious factors, such as communication type (voice, video, data ormessaging), communication protocol, network requirements, networkconditions, and so forth.

If the offset figure of merit is outside of the error threshold orotherwise does not satisfy the threshold then new duplex DAC values canbe determined. For example, a 2D grid can be utilized where a next valueis selected for the duplex DAC value. If the offset figure of merit iswithin the error threshold or otherwise satisfies the threshold then acriteria can be determined for continuing to tune the communicationdevice utilizing the duplex DAC values. For example, a gamma_reference(e.g., input reflection coefficient based on RF return loss andreflected phase) can be measured after the tuning based on the duplexDAC values is performed. Monitoring of a measured gamma as compared tothe gamma_reference can be performed. For example, the measured gammacan be compared to the gamma_reference according to a hold threshold. Ifthe hold threshold is satisfied (e.g., the measured gamma is within athreshold amount of the gamma_reference) then the monitoring continues,but if the hold threshold is not satisfied then new duplex DAC valuescan be determined such as according to the 2D grid. Tuning 3200 can thenbe repeated utilizing the new duplex DAC values. Tuning 3200 enablestuning to be performed using duplex DACs and an offset figure of merit.The offset figure of merit in tuning 3200 enables utilizing differentfigures of merit according to whether performance is to be biasedtowards receive operation or biased towards transmit operation.

FIG. 34 depicts an illustrative method 3600 that can be utilized fordynamic weighted tuning. Method 3600 can begin at 3602 in which multipletuning states are determined for a matching network. For example duringFDD communication, the band/channel of operation can be determined and alook up table stored in the communication device can be searched forpredetermined tuning states that have been determined to provideimproved or optimal performance for Tx, Rx and/or duplex operation atthat band/channel Other information can also be used for determining themultiple tuning states, such as a usage condition (e.g., hands freeoperation).

At 3604, an operational function (and/or a change therein) of thecommunication device can be detected or otherwise determined. In one ormore embodiments, the operational functions can be one or more ofresource block allocation, modulation type, data throughput, Tx powerlevel, RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level, the antenna use case (e.g.,closed loop-derived use case determination), and so forth. Theoperational functions can be measurable criteria that are determined inreal-time so that real-time or near-real-time tuning can be performed.Other operational functions can include a determined usage of thecommunication device, such as a determination that the device will bedownloading a file of a certain size, or a determination that aparticular application is being executed that typically transmits largefiles.

At 3606, weighting between the multiple tuning states, such as betweenfirst and second tuning states, can be adjusted according to theoperational function(s) resulting in an adjusted weighting. Forinstance, weighting can be determined on a scale of 0 to 1.0. In oneembodiment, the weighting can be initiated at 0 and the adjusted to theadjusted weightings according to changes in an operational function(s)detected during the communications. Other weighting techniques can alsobe applied in order to effect a biasing towards one or more of themultiple tuning states. At 3608. The tuning configuration can bedetermined for the matching network based on the adjusted weighting. Forexample, the tuning configuration can be determined by an interpolationthat utilizes the first and second tuning states in conjunction with theadjusted weighting.

At 3610, the determined tuning configuration can be applied to thematching network, such as adjusting one or more tunable reactiveelements. In one embodiment, the operational function includes amodulation type for the FDD communication. In one embodiments, theoperational function includes resource block allocation, datathroughput, transmit power level, link margin, received signal metric,discontinuous transmission, battery level, execution of a particularapplication by the communication device, or any combination thereof. Inone embodiment, one of the first or second tuning states includes atuning state optimized for one of duplex operation, carrier aggregation,or aggregated receive operation.

FIG. 35 depicts an illustrative method 3700 that can be utilized fordynamic weighted tuning. Method 3700 can begin at 3702 in which a tuningstate is determined. For example, the tuning state can be determined byselecting a first tuning state from a group of tuning states stored in amemory of the communication device. In one embodiment, the stored groupof tuning states are predetermined tuning states based on increasingperformance in duplex operation. At 3704, the matching network can beadjusted utilizing the first tuning state resulting in a first tuning.At 3706, the first tuning can be evaluated. For example, responsive tothe first tuning, a first performance metric can be determined accordingto a first measurement associated with the communication (e.g., FDDcommunication). The processor of the communication device can thencompare the first performance metric to a first reference metric (e.g.,a reference metric that is stored in the memory) resulting in a firstcomparison.

In one embodiment at 3708, responsive to a first determination that thefirst performance metric satisfies a first threshold according to thefirst comparison, a weighted first tuning state can be determined. Inone embodiment, the weighted first tuning state can be determined basedon a weighting factor, the first tuning state, and a second tuning stateselected from another group of tuning states stored in the memory. Inone or more embodiments, operational function(s) can be identified fordetermining the weighting factor. For instance, the operational functioncan be one or more of resource block allocation, modulation type, datathroughput, Tx power level, RSSI, RSCP, DTX, battery level, the antennause case (e.g., closed loop-derived use case determination), and soforth. The operational functions can be measurable criteria that aredetermined in real-time so that real-time or near-real-time tuning canbe performed. Other operational functions can include a determined usageof the communication device, such as a determination that the devicewill be downloading a file of a certain size, or a determination that aparticular application is being executed that typically transmits largefiles.

At 3710, the matching network can be adjusted utilizing the weightedfirst tuning state resulting in a second tuning. In one embodimentresponsive to a second determination that the first performance metricdoes not satisfy the first threshold according to the first comparison,a third tuning state can be selected from the stored group of tuningstates. In one embodiment, the processor can: responsive to the secondtuning, determine a second performance metric according to a secondmeasurement associated with the FDD communication; compare the secondperformance metric to a second reference metric resulting in a secondcomparison; responsive to a third determination that the secondperformance metric does not satisfy a second threshold according to thesecond comparison, select the third tuning state from the group oftuning states; and responsive to a fourth determination that the secondperformance metric satisfies the second threshold according to thesecond comparison, continue the second tuning. In one embodiment, thesecond tuning state can be selected from the other group of tuningstates according to the first tuning state, where the other group oftuning states is predetermined tuning states based on increasingperformance in at least one of transmit or receive operation. In oneembodiment, the first performance metric comprises an input reflectioncoefficient.

In one embodiment, the weighting factor can be determined based on anoperational function of the communication device. In one embodiment, theoperational function includes downloading an amount of data above adownload threshold, and where the weighting factor is biased towards areceive operation. In one embodiment, the operational function includestransmitting an amount of data above an upload threshold, and where theweighting factor is biased towards a transmit operation. In oneembodiment, the processor can: monitor a transmit power level; anddetermine a link margin based on the monitoring, where the operationalfunction includes a determination that the link margin is equal to orbelow a link margin threshold, and where the weighting factor is biasedtowards a transmit operation. In one embodiment, the processor can:monitor a receive metric associated with a received signal during theFDD communication; and determine a link margin based on the monitoring,where the operational function comprises a determination that the linkmargin is equal to or below a link margin threshold, and where theweighting factor is biased towards a receive operation.

In one embodiment, the processor can monitor resource block allocationfor the FDD communication, and where the operational function isdetermined based on the monitoring. In one embodiment, the processor canmonitor data throughput for the FDD communication, and where theoperational function is determined based on the monitoring. In oneembodiment, the processor can monitor battery level during the FDDcommunication, and where the operational function is determined based onthe monitoring. In one embodiment, the operational function of thecommunication device includes a particular application being executed atthe communication device. In one embodiment, the other group of tuningstates includes predetermined tuning states based on increasingperformance in transmit operation and in receive operation. In oneembodiment, the first tuning state includes a tuning voltage, and wherethe tunable reactive element comprises a voltage tunable capacitor.

FIG. 36 depicts an illustrative method 3800 that can be utilized fordynamic weighted tuning. Method 3800 can begin at 3802 in which aweighted tuning state is determined according to multiple tuning states.For example, first, second, and third tuning states can be selected fromfirst, second and third groups of tuning states, respectively, where thefirst, second and third groups of tuning states are stored in a memoryof the communication device and are predetermined tuning states based onincreasing performance in transmit, receive and duplex operation,respectively. Other multiple tuning states (and/or numbers of tuningstates) can be selected based on other targets, such as carrieraggregation. In one embodiment, 3802 can be performed in conjunctionwith FDD communication. A weighted tuning state can then be determinedbased on a weighting factor, and the first, second and third tuningstates. In one or more embodiments, operational function(s) can beidentified for determining the weighting factor. For instance, theoperational function can be one or more of resource block allocation,modulation type, data throughput, Tx power level, RSSI, RSCP, DTX,battery level, the antenna use case (e.g., closed loop-derived use casedetermination), and so forth. The operational functions can bemeasurable criteria that are determined in real-time so that real-timeor near-real-time tuning can be performed. Other operational functionscan include a determined usage of the communication device, such as adetermination that the device will be downloading a file of a certainsize, or a determination that a particular application is being executedthat typically transmits large files.

At 3804, the matching network can be adjusted utilizing the weightedtuning state resulting in a tuning. The tuning can then be evaluatedaccording to expected performance. In one embodiment, responsive to thetuning, a first performance metric can be determined according to afirst measurement associated with the FDD communication. At 3806, theexpected performance can be based on weighting of multiple expectedperformances resulting in a weighted reference metric. For example,first, second, and third reference metrics can be selected from first,second and third groups of reference metrics stored in the memory of thecommunication device, where the first, second and third groups ofreference metrics are predetermined expected metrics based on increasingperformance in transmit, receive and duplex operation, respectively. Theweighted reference metric can then be determined based on the weightingfactor, and the first, second and third reference metrics.

At 3808, the first performance metric can be compared to the weightedreference metric resulting in a first comparison. In one embodiment,responsive to a first determination that the first performance metricsatisfies a first threshold according to the first comparison, thetuning utilizing the weighted tuning state can be continued. In oneembodiment, responsive to a second determination that the firstperformance metric does not satisfy the first threshold according to thefirst comparison, selecting other tuning states from the first, secondand third groups of tuning states, respectively. In one embodiment,responsive to the first determination, the processor can: measure asecond reference metric; determine a second performance metric accordingto a second measurement associated with the FDD communication; comparethe second performance metric to the second reference metric resultingin a second comparison; responsive to a second determination that thesecond performance metric does not satisfy a second threshold accordingto the second comparison, select fourth, fifth and sixth tuning statesfrom the first, second and third groups of tuning states, respectively;and responsive to a third determination that the second performancemetric satisfies the second threshold according to the secondcomparison, continue the tuning.

In one embodiment, the first, second, and third reference metricsinclude input reflection coefficients. In one embodiment, the weightingfactor can be determined based on an operational function of thecommunication device. In one embodiment, the operational function of thecommunication device includes a particular application being executed atthe communication device. In one embodiment, the operational functionincludes downloading an amount of data above a download threshold, andwhere the weighting factor is biased towards the increasing performancein the receive operation. In one embodiment, the operational functionincludes transmitting an amount of data above an upload threshold, andwhere the weighting factor is biased towards the increasing performancein the transmit operation. In one embodiment, the processor can: monitora transmit power level; and determine a link margin based on themonitoring, where the operational function comprises a determinationthat the link margin is equal to or below a link margin threshold, andwhere the weighting factor is biased towards the increasing performancein the transmit operation.

In one embodiment, the processor can: monitor a receive metricassociated with a received signal during the FDD communication; anddetermine a link margin based on the monitoring, where the operationalfunction comprises a determination that the link margin is equal to orbelow a link margin threshold, and where the weighting factor is biasedtowards the increasing performance in the receive operation. In oneembodiment, the processor can include monitoring resource blockallocation for the FDD communication, and where the operational functionis determined based on the monitoring. In one embodiment, the processorcan monitor data throughput for the FDD communication, and where theoperational function is determined based on the monitoring. In oneembodiment, the processor can monitor battery level during the FDDcommunication, and where the operational function is determined based onthe monitoring. In one embodiment, the first, second and third tuningstates include tuning voltages, and wherein the tunable reactive elementcomprises a voltage tunable capacitor.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the communication device can becapable of applying multiple dynamic weighting techniques and one ormore of those techniques can be selected, such as based on networkconditions, type of communication, history of effectiveness of tuningutilizing the particular dynamic weighting technique. For example, thecommunication device can determine that a communication session is beinginitiated that requires downloading of a large amount of data in ageographic location where the network is experiencing network latency.The communication device can select a particular dynamic weightingtechnique from among multiple dynamic weighting techniques, wherein theparticular dynamic weighting technique has historically shown effectivetuning performance for downloading data where network latency exists. Inanother embodiment, a detected change in operational function can causea switch among multiple dynamic weighting techniques, such as switchingfrom tuning 2800 of FIG. 28 to tuning 2400 of FIG. 24 when a low batterydetection is made.

Other embodiments can be applied to the subject disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims described below.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 3900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the communication device 100 of FIG. 1 toprovide tuning based on a dynamic weighting factor(s). The weightingfactors can be determined during the communications and can changedepending on changes to the communications, such as changes to one ormore operational functions of the communication device, changes tonetwork conditions, and so forth. In some embodiments, the machine maybe connected (e.g., using a network 3926) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 3900 may include a processor (or controller) 3902(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,or both), a main memory 3904 and a static memory 3906, which communicatewith each other via a bus 3908. The computer system 3900 may furtherinclude a display unit 3910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), aflat panel, or a solid state display. The computer system 3900 mayinclude an input device 3912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device3914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 3916, a signal generation device3918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device3920. In distributed environments, the embodiments described in thesubject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 3910controlled by two or more computer systems 3900. In this configuration,presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shownin a first of the display units 3910, while the remaining portion ispresented in a second of the display units 3910.

The disk drive unit 3916 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 3922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 3924) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 3924 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 3904, the static memory 3906, and/or within theprocessor 3902 during execution thereof by the computer system 3900. Themain memory 3904 and the processor 3902 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 3922 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) are contemplatedfor use by computer system 3900.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device, comprising: a processingsystem including a processor; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: during frequencydivision duplex (FDD) communication, adjusting a matching networkincluding a tunable reactive element utilizing a weighted tuning stateresulting in a tuning, wherein the weighted tuning state is determinedfrom applying a first weighting factor to first, second, and thirdtuning states that are predetermined tuning states based on increasingperformance in transmit, receive and duplex operation, respectively,wherein the first, second and third tuning states comprise sets ofdigital to analog converter values, and wherein the first weightingfactor is based on an interpolation that utilizes digital to analogconverter values of at least two of the first, second and third tuningstates; determining a weighted reference metric based on a secondweighting factor, and first, second and third reference metrics, thefirst, second and third reference metrics selected from first, secondand third groups of reference metrics, wherein the first, second andthird groups of reference metrics are expected metrics based on theincreasing performance in the transmit, receive and duplex operation,respectively; responsive to the tuning, determining a first performancemetric according to a first measurement associated with the FDDcommunication; and responsive to a first determination that the firstperformance metric satisfies a first threshold according to a firstcomparison of the first performance metric to the weighted referencemetric, continuing the tuning utilizing the weighted tuning state. 2.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: responsive to a second determination that the firstperformance metric does not satisfy the first threshold according to thefirst comparison, selecting fourth, fifth and sixth reference metricsfrom the first, second and third groups of reference metrics,respectively.
 3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: responsive to the first determination:determining a second performance metric according to a secondmeasurement associated with the FDD communication; comparing the secondperformance metric to a second reference metric resulting in a secondcomparison; responsive to a second determination that the secondperformance metric does not satisfy a second threshold according to thesecond comparison, selecting fourth, fifth and sixth reference metricsfrom the first, second and third groups of reference metrics,respectively; and responsive to a third determination that the secondperformance metric satisfies the second threshold according to thesecond comparison, continuing the tuning.
 4. The communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the first, second, and third reference metrics compriseinput reflection coefficients.
 5. The communication device of claim 1,wherein the first weighting factor is determined based on an operationalfunction of the communication device.
 6. The communication device ofclaim 5, wherein the operational function comprises downloading anamount of data above a download threshold, and wherein the firstweighting factor is biased towards the increasing performance in thereceive operation.
 7. The communication device of claim 5, wherein theoperational function comprises transmitting an amount of data above anupload threshold, and wherein the first weighting factor is biasedtowards the increasing performance in the transmit operation.
 8. Thecommunication device of claim 5, wherein the operations furthercomprise: monitoring a transmit power level; and determining a linkmargin based on the monitoring, wherein the operational functioncomprises a determination that the link margin is equal to or below alink margin threshold, and wherein the first weighting factor is biasedtowards the increasing performance in the transmit operation.
 9. Thecommunication device of claim 5, wherein the operational function of thecommunication device comprises a particular application being executedat the communication device.
 10. The communication device of claim 9,wherein the operations further comprise: monitoring a receive metricassociated with a received signal during the FDD communication; anddetermining a link margin based on the monitoring, wherein theoperational function comprises a determination that the link margin isequal to or below a link margin threshold, and wherein the firstweighting factor is biased towards the increasing performance in thereceive operation.
 11. The communication device of claim 9, wherein theoperations further comprise monitoring resource block allocation for theFDD communication, and wherein the operational function is determinedbased on the monitoring.
 12. The communication device of claim 9,wherein the operations further comprise monitoring data throughput forthe FDD communication, and wherein the operational function isdetermined based on the monitoring.
 13. The communication device ofclaim 9, wherein the operations further comprise monitoring batterylevel during the FDD communication, and wherein the operational functionis determined based on the monitoring.
 14. The communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the first, second and third tuning states comprisetuning voltages, and wherein the tunable reactive element comprises avoltage tunable capacitor.
 15. A method comprising: adjusting, by aprocessing system of a communication device, the processing systemincluding a processor, a matching network utilizing a weighted tuningstate resulting in a tuning, wherein the weighted tuning state isdetermined from applying a first weighting factor to first, second andthird tuning states that are predetermined tuning states based onincreasing performance in transmit, receive and duplex operation,respectively, wherein the first, second and third tuning states comprisesets of digital to analog converter values, and wherein the firstweighting factor is based on an interpolation that utilizes digital toanalog converter values of at least two of the first, second and thirdtuning states; determining, by the processor, a weighted referencemetric based on a second weighting factor, and first, second and thirdreference metrics, the first, second and third reference metricsselected from first, second and third groups of reference metrics,wherein the first, second and third groups of reference metrics areexpected metrics based on the increasing performance in the transmit,receive and duplex operation, respectively; and responsive to a firstdetermination that a first measured performance metric satisfies a firstthreshold according to a first comparison of the first measuredperformance metric to the weighted reference metric, continuing, by theprocessing system, the tuning utilizing the weighted tuning state. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second weighting factorsare the same, and further comprising: responsive to a seconddetermination that the first measured performance metric does notsatisfy the first threshold according to the first comparison,selecting, by the processing system, fourth, fifth and sixth tuningstates.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising, responsive tothe first determination: determining, by the processing system, a secondmeasured performance metric according to a second measurement;responsive to a second determination that the second measuredperformance metric does not satisfy a second threshold according to asecond comparison, selecting, by the processing system, fourth, fifthand sixth tuning states, the second comparison comprising a comparisonof the second measured performance metric to the second referencemetric; and responsive to a third determination that the second measuredperformance metric satisfies the second threshold according to thesecond comparison, continuing, by the processing system, the tuning. 18.A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performanceof operations, the operations comprising: adjusting a matching networkutilizing a weighted tuning state resulting in a tuning, wherein theweighted tuning state is determined according to an application of afirst weighting factor to multiple tuning states based on enhancingperformance associated with different types of operation, wherein thedifferent types of operation include transmit, receive, and duplexwherein the multiple tuning states comprise sets of digital to analogconverter values, and wherein the first weighting factor is based on aninterpolation that utilizes digital to analog converter values of atleast two of the multiple tuning states; determining a weightedreference metric based on a second weighting factor and first, secondand third reference metrics, wherein the first, second and thirdreference metrics are selected from first, second and third groups ofreference metrics, and wherein the first, second and third groups ofreference metrics are based on the enhancing performance associated withthe different types of operation; and responsive to a firstdetermination that a first performance metric satisfies a firstthreshold according to a comparison of the first performance metric tothe weighted reference metric, continuing the tuning utilizing theweighted tuning state.
 19. The non-transitory, machine-readable storagemedium of claim 18, wherein the different types of operation furtherinclude aggregated receive, carrier aggregation, or both.
 20. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein theoperations further comprise: responsive to a second determination thatthe first performance metric does not satisfy the first thresholdaccording to the comparison, selecting other multiple tuning states.